From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Ag. Director, North Central Area Office, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC),
Mrs Biodun Olobukola has challenged employers to take welfare and security of serving corps members very crucial and paramount.

The director, who gave the challenge during Kogi Annual 2023 Corps Employers Workshop held at the Government House, Lokoja, described the corps members as “precious assets to the Nigerian nation.

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The theme of this year’s corps employers’ workshop; “Tackling emerging Challenges in Corps Administration through NYSC/Stakeholders’ Participation,” was well tackled by two resource persons including the state coordinator, Mrs Mofoluwaso Williams.

Olobukola said that 2023 corps employers workshop was not only a platform for the exchange of ideas but a “veritable avenue for the improvement of the quality of service delivery both on the part of the NYSC, Corps Employers and other stakeholders towards the realization of the goals and objectives of the NYSC in the task of Nation Building.”

She explained that the two papers; “Performance appraisal: a tool to tackle workplace challenges and achieve set goals” and “Communication an effective tool in achieving set goals” delivered by seasoned resource persons, were meant to raise germane issues in the efforts at improving the achievement of the goals of the NYSC predicted upon National Development.

Represented by her assistant,  Mr. A. Abdullazeez, she urge all participants to listen keenly to the resource persons and contribute meaningfully in order to gain better insight to resolving challenges as quickly as possible and channeling same to the realization of a mutually beneficial goal.

“The efforts of the State Government in providing an enabling environment for the smooth operation of the NYSC in the State is without doubt most encouraging. I therefore, express my gratitude to the State Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello for his kindness toward the scheme.

She commended the NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen. Y.D Ahmed  for his efforts at ensuring the best practices in the operations of the NYSC, most especially in the area of security and welfare as well as the technological development of the corps members.

The director also appreciated the great efforts of all awesome state coordinators in the north central Area.  You are highly appreciated.   God will continue to bless you, abundantly.

Dr Grace Gunwa, in her paper, “Communication, an effective tool in achieving set goals” advised corp members to always ask questions on anything or issue they do more understand in order to succeed in all they do.

“As a new person in a new environment (using a Corps member as a case study), it is very necessary for one to learn, through interaction with persons in the new environment, their culture, tradition, and general way  of life alongside any other assignment allotted the person.

“But Sadly  some persons either through arrogance and “I know it all” attitude fail to understand the importance of effective communication as a tool for achieving goal set for them or which they set for themselves and thereafter end up in serious disaster, ” she said.

“We should all endeavour to see that correct and effective communication is very essential and necessary in every aspect of a man’s life.

In her paper, “Tackling emerging Challenges in Corps Administration through NYSC/Stakeholders,” Mofoluwaso, said that with determination, commitment and resilience, the burden would be very light.

She noted that employers could overcome challenges with Corps members by organising a first meeting between newly engaged corps members with members of staff or leadership to do a sort of climate setting where the newbies would be introduced to the organization in its fullness.

“Reading the riot act to them warning them of the don’ts of the organization as well as intimate them with pecks on the job for their benefit should they be worthy ambassadors of the Scheme they represent.

“Expose corps members to the vision, mission statements, standard attained by the organizations and the goals set for achievement as well as restrictions and discipline amongst others, ” she said.

The state coordinator said that what the scheme was desirous to train the Corps members to visionary and powerful leaders of tomorrow for the desired growth and development of Nigeria